- From 17–19 March 2026 (3 5-Hour Days, 15 Hours Total, Class Dates: 17, 18, 19 March)
- 12–5 p.m. Eastern Time (9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pacific Time)
- Understanding Space is the ideal course for technical or non-technical professionals new to the space industry or who need a refresher on the fundamentals.
- All students will receive an AIAA Certificate of Completion at the end of the course
OVERVIEW
This exciting, fast-paced 3-day course delivers the "big picture" of space missions from cradle to grave. Understanding Space is the ideal course for technical or non-technical professionals new to the space industry or who need a refresher on the fundamentals.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Gain Core Space Knowledge - Define and describe important astronautics terms and concepts
Comprehend space mission Capabilities, Trade-offs, and Limitations - Explain how and why space is used to provide capabilities on Earth
Apply Space Concepts to real-world problems - Calculate basic orbit and system parameters that drive mission scope and cost
Analyze Typical Space Problems - Compare and contrast different technical approaches for space missions
Synthesize concepts to Design a Space Mission - Design a space mission given some basic goals and objectives and develop a top-level project plan for it
Evaluate basic technical and programmatic space issues - Assess the technical merits of various space mission architectures
[Detailed Outline Below]
AUDIENCE: Engineers, scientists, or managers who are either new to the space field or who want to broaden their understanding of the
big picture of space systems and operations.
It is the ideal course for technical or non-technical space
professionals.
Testimonials
"Best course I've ever taken!" - Boeing Engineer
"I finally understand the big picture of what we do." - NASA Scientist
"Everyone in the space business should take this course." - Lockheed Martin Engineer
OUTLINE
Space in Our Lives
- Space in Our Lives
- Elements of a Space Mission
- A Brief History of Space
- The Space Enterprise
- Space Systems Engineering
- Mission Management, Space Operations
- Down to Earth Issues Exploring Space
- The Space Environment
- Understanding Orbits
- Describing & Using Orbits
- Orbit Design
- Orbit Maneuvering
- Ascent and Re-entry
- Payload and Spacecraft Design
- Human Spaceflight
- Spacecraft Subsystems
- Rocket Science
- Launch Vehicles
Instructor
The course will be instructed by one or more of the aerospace systems experts from Teaching Science and Technology Inc. (TSTI):
Dr. Jerry Jon Sellers, is the author of Understanding Space: An Introduction
to Astronautics, and is a contributing author and editor of Applied
Space Systems Engineering, author of the new chapter in ASSE on
Applied Model-based Systems Engineering, as well as a contributing author
of Human Spaceflight Analysis and Design. He has over 30
years of space systems experience including Guidance & On-board
Navigation Officer in Space Shuttle Mission Control; Assistant Professor
of Astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy; and Chief of Astronautics
for the Air Force European Office of Aerospace Research &
Development. He is an Associate Fellow at AIAA and the former
Chairman of the AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee. He
is an elected member of the International Academy of Astronautics and
is a Certified Scaled-Agile Program Consultant. He is also an adjunct
professor at Stevens Institute of Technology and certified Scaled-Agile
Framework (SAFe) Program Consultant (SPC5). Jerry is an elected member of
the International Academy of Astronautics.
Dr. Peter Van Wirt is a former Deputy Department Head for Labs and Research of the Department of Astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has been a visiting lecturer for the Technical University of Delft’s SpaceTech Master’s Degree in Space Systems Engineering and is an Adjunct Professor for the Space Systems Engineering Master’s program at Stevens Institute of Technology. He also instructs at the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, CO. He has served as a systems engineer/program manager for a variety of US Air Force engineering developments. Peter has over 30 years of aerospace engineering experience and over 20 years teaching experience. He earned his doctorate at Utah State University.
Dr. Bruce Chesley is an experienced space program manager and industry executive. He served as the Chief Strategist for a space system portfolio spanning human spaceflight, commercial satellites, and government space systems and he led the early development of a global broadband satellite constellation. He has also delivered advanced space systems and prototypes while serving in a variety of roles in program management, business development and engineering. His Air Force assignments included Air Force Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the USAF Academy where he was an Assistant Professor of Astronautics. He was elected to the International Academy of Astronautics in 2020 and serves as a Vice President on the Bureau of the International Astronautical Federation. He has published more than 20 technical papers and book chapters on satellite design and space sy
COURSE DELIVERY AND MATERIALS
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